James Lofton

THE COFFIN CORNER: Vol. 25, No. 4 (2003)
James Lofton
Wide receiver James Lofton was the No. 1 draft pick of the Green Bay Packers in 1978. An Academic All-America choice from
Stanford, he was also an accomplished track performer and won the NCAA long jump title as a senior. Lofton's speed and "soft
hands" made him an immediate deep-threat receiver from the moment he entered the pros. It was something he would remain
throughout his long career with Green Bay, the Los Angeles Raiders, Buffalo Bills, Los Angeles Rams, and the Philadelphia
Eagles.
In 16 seasons, Lofton caught 764 passes for 14,004 yards - an average of 18.3 yards per catch. Nine times he recorded more
than 50 catches in a season. His 14,004 career-reception yardage mark was an NFL best at the time of his retirement, while his
43 games with 100 or more yards receiving ranked third.
Extremely durable, Lofton was the first NFL player to score a touchdown in the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s. Many of his 75
touchdown receptions came on long passes when he simply outran the opposition.
During his nine seasons in Green Bay, Lofton was selected to play in seven Pro Bowls. He led the Packers in receptions each
year except one (1979). Five of those years he gained more than 1,000 receiving yards. He was only the fifth player in NFL
history to do so, joining the likes of Lance Alworth, Steve Largent, Don Maynard, and Art Powell.
In 1987, Lofton was traded to the Raiders, and two years later joined the Bills. In Buffalo, he reemerged as one of the game's
premiere deep-threat receivers.
In 1991, at age 35, the still-speedy receiver became the oldest player in league history to record 1,000 receiving yards in a
season. That same year he recorded a career-best 220 receiving yards in a game against the Cincinnati Bengals. His ofteninspirational play earned him his eighth Pro Bowl bid.
In 13 playoff game appearances, Lofton caught 41 passes for 759 yards and eight touchdowns, including a seven-reception
game in Super Bowl XXVI. In three of those playoff games he recorded 100-yard plus performances.
James Lofton
Wide Receiver - 6'3", 192
Stanford
James David Lofton…Selected by Green Bay in 1st round (6th player overall) of 1978 NFL Draft…A deep-threat receiver, possessed both
speed and great hands…Recorded more than 50 receptions in a season nine times…First NFL player to score a touchdown in 1970s, 1980s,
and 1990s… In 16 seasons, he caught 764 passes for 14,004 yards - an NFL record at the time of his retirement…Named All-Pro four times,
All-NFC three times, selected to play in eight Pro Bowls…Born July 5, 1956, at Fort Ord, California.
Year
G
1978 GB
16
1979 GB
15
1980 GB
16
1981 GB
16
1982 GB
9
1983 GB
16
1984 GB
16
1985 GB
16
1986 GB
15
1987 LARd
12
1988 LARd
16
1989 Buf
12
1990 Buf
16
1991 Buf
15
1992 Buf
16
1993 Buf-Phi 10
16 Years
232
NO
46
54
71
71
35
58
62
69
64
41
28
8
35
57
51
14
764
YDS
818
968
1226
1294
696
1300
1361
1153
840
880
549
166
712
1072
786
183
14004
AVG
17.78
17.93
17.27
18.23
19.89
22.41
21.95
16.71
13.13
21.46
19.61
20.75
20.34
18.81
15.41
13.07
18.33
All-League Teams
All-Pro: 1980 (PFWA, NEA, SN, PW), 1981 (AP, PFWA, NEA, SN, PW), 1983 (PFWA), 1984 (NEA)
All-Pro Second Team: 1980 (AP), 1982 (AP, NEA), 1983 (AP, NEA), 1985 (NEA)
All-NFC: 1980 (UPI, PW), 1981 (UPI, PW), 1982 (UPI)
All-NFC Second Team: 1983 (UPI), 1984 (UPI), 1985 (UPI)
Pro Bowls
(8) - 1979, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1992
1
TD
6
4
4
8
4
8
7
4
4
5
0
3
4
8
6
0
75